Browsing by Author "Opare, D."
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Item Anaemia among Children under Five Years in Sakagyano Community, Effutu Municipality of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Opare, D.Background: A survey was conducted to examine factors contributing to anaemia among children under five in Sakagyano community, its effects and also find out how parents prevent anaemia among children under five and investigate how parents manage children under five with anaemia. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional design and quantitative in nature using convenience sampling technique would be used to select 100 participants for the study. The study was done at Sakagyano among parents with children under-five years of age. Data was collected using a self-designed structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using STATA (version 15.0) and the results were presented in tables and charts. Results: The findings from the 100 participants of the study on examining anaemia among children under five years revealed that, anaemia was found to be a major problem in the study area. Majority (78%) of the mothers‟ knowledge on anaemia was adequate. Also, the mothers (62%) knew how to prevent anaemia in children under five years. Conclusion: The factors that were associated with anaemia in children under five years at Sakagyano were their nutritional knowledge and poor knowledge in handling the disease in children. Anaemia was found to be a major problem in this cohort of children and their mothers. Dietary factors and socio-demographic factors were the major factors associated with high levels of anaemia among the children and their mothers. Mothers should therefore, be sensitized on best practices for prevention of anaemia among both women and children.Item An evaluation of the diagnostic performance characteristics of the Yellow Fever IgM immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic test kit from SD Biosensor in Ghana(PLOS, 2022) Ofosu-Appiah, L.H.; Amelor, D.K.; Ayensu, B.; Akyereko, E.; Rabiwu, N.I.; Opare, D.; Owusu-Okyere, G.; Laryea, D.O.; Asiedu-Bekoe, F.; Mingle, J.A.A.Yellow fever is endemic in Ghana and outbreaks occur periodically. The prodromal signs due to Yellow Fever Virus (YFV) infection are non-specific, making clinical signs unreliable as the sole criteria for diagnosis. Accurate laboratory confirmation of suspected yellow fever cases is therefore vital in surveillance programs. Reporting of ELISA IgM testing results by laboratories can delay due to late arrival of samples from the collection sites as well as limited availability of ELISA kits. In this study, the diagnostic performance characteristics of a rapid immunochromatographic Standard Q Yellow Fever IgM test kit (SD Biosensor) was evaluated for the rapid diagnosis of Yellow Fever infection in Ghana. A panel of 275 sera, comprising 81 confirmed YFV positives and 194 negatives were re-tested in this study using the Standard Q Yellow Fever IgM test kit. Using the CDC/WHO Yellow Fever IgM capture ELISA as a benchmark, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the Standard Q Yellow Fever test kit were 96.3%, 97.9% and 97.5%, respectively. The false positivity rate was 5.1% and there was no cross-reactivity when the Standard Q Yellow Fever test kit was tested against dengue, malaria and hepatitis B and C positive samples. In addition, interreader variability and invalid rate were both zero. The results indicate that the diagnostic performance of the Standard Q Yellow Fever IgM test kit on serum or plasma is comparable to the serum IgM detection by ELISA and can be used as a point of care rapid diagnostic test kit for YFV infection in endemic areas.Item An evaluation of the diagnostic performance characteristics of the Yellow Fever IgM immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic test kit from SD Biosensor in Ghana(PLOS, 2022) Ofosu-Appiah, L.H.; Amelor, D.K.; Ayensu, B.; Akyereko, E.; Rabiwu, N.I.; Opare, D.; Owusu-Okyere, G.; Laryea, D.O.; Asiedu-Bekoe, F.; Mingle, J.A.A.Yellow fever is endemic in Ghana and outbreaks occur periodically. The prodromal signs due to Yellow Fever Virus (YFV) infection are non-specific, making clinical signs unreliable as the sole criteria for diagnosis. Accurate laboratory confirmation of suspected yellow fever cases is therefore vital in surveillance programs. Reporting of ELISA IgM testing results by laboratories can delay due to late arrival of samples from the collection sites as well as limited availability of ELISA kits. In this study, the diagnostic performance characteristics of a rapid immunochromatographic Standard Q Yellow Fever IgM test kit (SD Biosensor) was evaluated for the rapid diagnosis of Yellow Fever infection in Ghana. A panel of 275 sera, comprising 81 confirmed YFV positives and 194 negatives were re-tested in this study using the Standard Q Yellow Fever IgM test kit. Using the CDC/WHO Yellow Fever IgM capture ELISA as a benchmark, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the Standard Q Yellow Fever test kit were 96.3%, 97.9% and 97.5%, respectively. The false positivity rate was 5.1% and there was no cross-reactivity when the Standard Q Yellow Fever test kit was tested against dengue, malaria and hepatitis B and C positive samples. In addition, inter-reader variability and invalid rate were both zero. The results indicate that the diagnostic performance of the Standard Q Yellow Fever IgM test kit on serum or plasma is comparable to the serum IgM detection by ELISA and can be used as a point of care rapid diagnostic test kit for YFV infection in endemic areas.Item Investigating the virulence genes and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Vibrio cholerae O1 in environmental and clinical isolates in Accra, Ghana(BMC Infectious Diseases, 2019-01) Abana, D.; Gyamfi, E.; Dogbe, M.; Opoku, G.; Opare, D.; Boateng, G.; Mosi, L.Background Cholera has been endemic in Ghana since its detection in 1970. It has been shown that long-term survival of the bacteria may be attained in aquatic environments. Consequently, cholera outbreaks may be triggered predominantly in densely populated urban areas. We investigated clinical and environmental isolates of Vibrio cholerae O1 in Accra to determine their virulence genes, antibiotic susceptibility patterns and environmental factors maintaining their persistence in the environment. Methods Water samples from various sources were analyzed for the presence of V. cholerae O1 using culture methods. Forty clinical isolates from a previous cholera outbreak were included in the study for comparison. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the bacteria were determined by disc diffusion. Virulence genes were identified by analyzing genes for ctx, tcpA (tcpAEl Tor tcpACl), zot, ompW, rbfO1 and attRS using PCR. Physicochemical characteristics of water were investigated using standard methods. One-way ANOVA and student t - test were employed to analyze the relationship between physicochemical factors and the occurrence of V. cholerae O1. Results Eleven V. cholerae O1 strains were successfully isolated from streams, storage tanks and wells during the study period. All isolates were resistant to one or more of the eight antibiotics used. Multidrug resistance was observed in over 97% of the isolates. All isolates had genes for at least one virulence factor. Vibrio cholerae toxin gene was detected in 82.4% of the isolates. Approximately 81.8% of the isolates were positive for tcpAEl Tor gene, but also harbored the tcpAcl gene. Isolates were grouped into thirteen genotypes based on the genes analyzed. High temperature, salinity, total dissolved solids and conductivity was found to significantly correlate positively with isolation of V. cholerae O1. V. cholerae serotype Ogawa biotype El tor is the main biotype circulating in Ghana with the emergence of a hybrid strain. Conclusions Multidrug resistant V. cholerae O1 with different genotypes and pathogenicity are present in water sources and co-exist with non O1/O139 in the study area.Item Meningitis outbreak caused by vaccine-preventable bacterial pathogens — Northern Ghana, 2016(Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2017) Aku, F.Y.; Lessa, F.C.; Asiedu-Bekoe, F.; Balagumyetime, P.; Ofosu, W.; Farrar, J.; Ouattara, M.; Vuong, J.T.; Issah, K.; Opare, J.; Ohene, S.-A.; Okot, C.; Kenu, E.; Ameme, D.K.; Opare, D.What is already known about this topic? The introduction of serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac) in Ghana in 2012 had a substantial impact on the periodic outbreaks of meningitis in the Northern Ghana. However, seasonal increases in bacterial meningitis continue to occur; the most prevalent etiologies are Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. What is added by this report? During December 9, 2015-February 16, 2016, a total of 432 suspected meningitis cases were reported from three regions in northern Ghana. Among 286 cerebrospinal fluid specimens tested, 133 (46.5%) were positive, including 83 (62.4%) for N. meningitidis and 44 (33.1%) for S. pneumoniae. The predominant N. meningitidis serogroup was serogroup W (99%). Based on laboratory and epidemiologic data, 135,679 doses of meningococcal polysaccharide ACW vaccine were administered to the age groups most affected, resulting in substantial reduction in the number of meningitis cases. What are the implications for public health practice? Rapid identification of the etiologic agent in meningitis outbreaks is important for informing targeted public health interventions. Building and sustaining laboratory capacity in countries where meningitis outbreaks are common will be critical in ensuring rapid and effective response to these outbreaks. © 2017, Department of Health and Human Services. All rights reserved.Item Molecular Epidemiology and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Vibrio cholerae Associated with a Large Cholera Outbreak in Ghana in 2014(Public Library of Science, 2016) Eibach, D.; Herrera-León, S.; Gil, H.; Hogan, B.; Ehlkes, L.; Adjabeng, M.; Kreuels, B.; Nagel, M.; Opare, D.; Fobil, J.N.; May, J.Background: Ghana is affected by regular cholera epidemics and an annual average of 3,066 cases since 2000. In 2014, Ghana experienced one of its largest cholera outbreaks within a decade with more than 20,000 notified infections. In order to attribute this rise in cases to a newly emerging strain or to multiple simultaneous outbreaks involving multi-clonal strains, outbreak isolates were characterized, subtyped and compared to previous epidemics in 2011 and 2012. Methodology/Principal Findings: Serotypes, biotypes, antibiotic susceptibilities were determined for 92 Vibrio cholerae isolates collected in 2011, 2012 and 2014 from Southern Ghana. For a subgroup of 45 isolates pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing and multilocus-variable tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) were performed. Eighty-nine isolates (97%) were identified as ctxB (classical type) positive V. cholerae O1 biotype El Tor and three (3%) isolates were cholera toxin negative non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae. Among the selected isolates only sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim resistance was detectable in 2011, while 95% of all 2014 isolates showed resistance towards sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, ampicillin and reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. MLVA achieved the highest subtype discrimination, revealing 22 genotypes with one major outbreak cluster in each of the three outbreak years. Apart from those clusters genetically distant genotypes circulate during each annual epidemic. Conclusions/Significance: This analysis suggests different endemic reservoirs of V. cholerae in Ghana with distinct annual outbreak clusters accompanied by the occurrence of genetically distant genotypes. Preventive measures for cholera transmission should focus on aquatic reservoirs. Rapidly emerging multidrug resistance must be monitored closely. © 2016 Eibach et al.Item Research article Open Access Open Peer Review Investigating the virulence genes and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Vibrio cholerae O1 in environmental and clinical isolates in Accra, Ghana(BMC Infectious Diseases, 2019-01) Abana, D.; Gyamfi, E.; Dogbe, M.; Opoku, G.; Opare, D.; Boateng, G.; Mosi, L.BACKGROUND: Cholera has been endemic in Ghana since its detection in 1970. It has been shown that long-term survival of the bacteria may be attained in aquatic environments. Consequently, cholera outbreaks may be triggered predominantly in densely populated urban areas. We investigated clinical and environmental isolates of Vibrio cholerae O1 in Accra to determine their virulence genes, antibiotic susceptibility patterns and environmental factors maintaining their persistence in the environment. METHODS: Water samples from various sources were analyzed for the presence of V. cholerae O1 using culture methods. Forty clinical isolates from a previous cholera outbreak were included in the study for comparison. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the bacteria were determined by disc diffusion. Virulence genes were identified by analyzing genes for ctx, tcpA (tcpAEl Tor tcpACl), zot, ompW, rbfO1 and attRS using PCR. Physicochemical characteristics of water were investigated using standard methods. One-way ANOVA and student t - test were employed to analyze the relationship between physicochemical factors and the occurrence of V. cholerae O1. RESULTS: Eleven V. cholerae O1 strains were successfully isolated from streams, storage tanks and wells during the study period. All isolates were resistant to one or more of the eight antibiotics used. Multidrug resistance was observed in over 97% of the isolates. All isolates had genes for at least one virulence factor. Vibrio cholerae toxin gene was detected in 82.4% of the isolates. Approximately 81.8% of the isolates were positive for tcpAEl Tor gene, but also harbored the tcpAcl gene. Isolates were grouped into thirteen genotypes based on the genes analyzed. High temperature, salinity, total dissolved solids and conductivity was found to significantly correlate positively with isolation of V. cholerae O1. V. cholerae serotype Ogawa biotype El tor is the main biotype circulating in Ghana with the emergence of a hybrid strain. CONCLUSIONS: Multidrug resistant V. cholerae O1 with different genotypes and pathogenicity are present in water sources and co-exist with non O1/O139 in the study area.Item Seroprevalence of Taenia solium and Trichinella spiralis among Humans and Pigs in Ghana(Hindawi, 2021) Addo, H.O.; Majekodunmi, A.O.; Sampane-Donkor, E.; Ofosu-Appiah, L.H.; Opare, D.; Owusu-Okyere, G.; Amegah, K.E.; Bimi, L.In this study, the seroprevalence of the intestinal worms Taenia solium and Trichinella spiralis in humans and pigs was assessed. A cross-sectional serological study design was performed. Blood samples were collected from 322 humans and 245 pigs used in the study. These were tested for markers of antibodies for Taenia solium and Trichinella spp. Demographic data such as sex, age, education, pig farming practices, and water source used were also obtained. An overall seroprevalence of 3.1% was recorded for Taenia solium in humans. There was also a statistical association between pig management system employed by pig farmers and seropositivity to Taenia solium (p = 0:005). Factors such as mode of waste disposal (p = 0:003) and water source used statistically correlated with Taenia solium seroprevalence among humans. For the pig samples, a Taenia solium seroprevalence of 24.9% was recorded. All the pig samples which tested positive for Taenia solium were reared on the free-ranged system. This study also recorded a seroprevalence of 0.31% for Trichinella spp. for humans and a seroprevalence of 4.5% for Trichinella spp. for pigs. Again, all the samples that showed serological evidence of Trichinella spp. among pigs came from those pigs which were raised on the free-ranged system. Proper pig management practice is a very important tool for controlling these intestinal parasites in both humans and animals. This study recommends public health education among the general public and good pig farming practices